Abstract
The purpose of this 42-day study was to investigate the effects of low selenium (Se) on cellular immune function by determining cell cycle of thymus, serum IL-2 content, and mitogenesis of peripheral blood T-lymphocytes. One hundred twenty 1-day-old Avian broilers were randomly assigned to two groups of 60 each and were fed on a low-Se diet (0.0342 mg/kg Se) or a control diet (0.2 mg/kg Se), respectively. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that low-Se diet caused an increase in G0G1 phase cells that corresponded to a decrease in S-phase cells in thymus. Ultrastructurally, mitochondria injury and increased apoptotic cells with condensed nuclei were observed. Low-Se diet decreased the serum IL-2 contents and mitogenesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes to concanavalin A in comparison with those of control group. These data indicate that low-Se diet inhibits the development of thymus by arresting the cell cycle and decreasing the IL-2 content.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
McKenzie RC, Becket GJ, Arthur JR (2006) Effect of selenium on immunity and aging. In: Hatfield DL, Berry MJ, Gladyshev VN (eds) Selenium its molecular biology and role in human health. Springer, New York, pp 311–322
Thompson JN, Scott ML (1970) Impaired lipid and vitamin E absorption related to atrophy of the pancreas in selenium-deficient chicks. J Nutr 100:797–809
Marsh JA, Combs GF Jr, Whitacre ME et al (1986) Effect of selenium and vitamin E dietary deficiencies on chick lymphoid organ development. P Soc Exp Biol Med 182:425–436
Cui HM (1988) The histopathologic study of selenium deficiency in chicks. Acta Vet Zootechnica Sin 1:52–56
Peng X, Cui Y, Cui W et al (2011) The cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of bursa of Fabricius induced by low selenium in chickens. Bio Trace Elem Res 139:32–40
Kiremidjian-Schumacher L, Roy M, Wishe HI et al (1994) Supplementation with selenium and human immune cell functions, II: effect on cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Bio Trace Elem Res 41:115–127
Vega L, Rodríguez-Sosa M, García-Montalvo EA et al (2007) Non-optimal levels of dietary selenomethionine alter splenocyte response and modify oxidative stress markers in female mice. Food Chem Toxicol 45:1147–1153
Spallholz JE, Stewart JE (1989) Advances in the role of minerals in immunobiology. Bio Trace Elem Res 19:129–151
Marsh JR, Dietert RR, Combs GF Jr (1981) Influence of dietary selenium and vitamin E on the humoral immune response of the chick. P Soc Exp Biol Med 166:228–236
Larsen HJ, Tollersrud S (1981) Effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium on the phytohaemagglutination response of pig lymphocytes. Res Vet Sci 31:301–305
Serfass RE, Ganther HE (1975) Defective microbicidal activity in glutathione peroxidase-deficient neutrophils of selenium-deficient rats. Nature 255:640–641
Peng X, Cui HM, Deng J et al (2011) Low dietary selenium induce increased apoptotic thymic cells and alter peripheral blood T cell subsets in chicken. Bio Trace Elem Res. doi:10.1007/s12011-010-8756-4
Peng X, Cui Y, Cui W et al (2009) The decrease of relative weight, lesions, and apoptosis of Bursa of Fabricius induced by excess dietary selenium in chickens. Bio Trace Elem Res 131(1):33–42
Cui HM, Fang J, Peng X (2003) Pathology of the thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius in zinc-deficient ducklings. Avian Pathol 32:259–263
Zhang XY, Zhou DF, Cao LY et al (2002) Decreased production of nterleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-2 secreting cells and CD4+ cells in medication-free patients with schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 36:331–336
Yarrington JT, Whitehair CK (1975) Ultrastructure of gastrointestinal smooth muscle in ducks with a vitamin E-selenium deficiency. J Nutr 105:782–790
Lessard M, Yang WC, Elliott GS et al (1991) Cellular immune responses in pigs fed a vitamin E- and selenium-deficient diet. J Anim Sci 69:1575–1582
Langweiler SMBE, Schultz RD (1981) Effects of vitamin E deficiency on the proliferative response of canine lymphocytes. Am J Vet Res 42:1681–1685
Ueno H, Hasegawa G, Ido R et al (2008) Effect of selenium status and supplementary selenoi-chemical sources on mouse T-cell mitogenesis. J Trace Elem Biol 22(1):9–16
Fraga CG, Ariass RF, Llesuy SF et al (1987) Effect of vitamin E and selenium-deficiency on rat liver chemiluminescence. Biochem J 242(2):383–386
Zoschke DC, Staite ND (1987) Suppression of human lymphocyte proliferation by activated neutrophils or H2O2: surviving cells have an altered T helper/T suppressor ratio and an increased resistance to secondary oxidant exposure. Immunopathol 42(2):160–170
Parnham MJ, Winkelmann J, Leyck S (1983) Macrophage, lymphocyte, and chronic responses in selenium deficient rodents: association with decreased glutathione peroxidase activity. Int J Immunopharmacol 5:455–461
Bonham M, O'Connor JM, Hannigan BM et al (2002) The immune system as a physiological indicator of marginal copper status? Br J Nutr 87:383–403
Petrie HT, Klassen LW, Kay HD (1989) Selenium and the immune response: 1. Modulation of alloreactive human lymphocyte functions in vitro. J Leukoc Biol 45(3):207–214
Kidd MT, Ferket PR, Qureshi MA (1996) Zinc metabolism with special reference to its role in immunity. World Poult Sci J 52:309–324
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the program for Changjiang scholars and the University Innovative Research Team (IRT 0848), and the Education Department and Scientific Department of Sichuan Province (09ZZ017).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peng, X., Cui, H., Yuan, J. et al. Low-Selenium Diet Induces Cell Cycle Arrest of Thymocytes and Alters Serum IL-2 Content in Chickens. Biol Trace Elem Res 144, 688–694 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9077-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9077-y